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US6116036A - Self regulating device for controlling refrigerators and freezers - Google Patents

Self regulating device for controlling refrigerators and freezers Download PDF

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Publication number
US6116036A
US6116036A US09/359,469 US35946999A US6116036A US 6116036 A US6116036 A US 6116036A US 35946999 A US35946999 A US 35946999A US 6116036 A US6116036 A US 6116036A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
compressor
disconnection
temperature
evaporator
time
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US09/359,469
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English (en)
Inventor
Mauro Canavesi
Gianpaolo Ramelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool Corp
Original Assignee
Whirlpool Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
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Assigned to WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION reassignment WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CANAVESI, MAURO, RAMELLI, GIANPAOLO
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/02—Compressor control
    • F25B2600/025—Compressor control by controlling speed
    • F25B2600/0251—Compressor control by controlling speed with on-off operation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B39/00—Evaporators; Condensers
    • F25B39/02—Evaporators
    • F25B39/022—Evaporators with plate-like or laminated elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
    • F25B49/022—Compressor control arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/10—Sensors measuring the temperature of the evaporator
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B40/00—Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a control device for refrigerating or freezer appliances, preferably domestic appliances, comprising a refrigerating circuit with compressor, evaporator, condenser and unit for regulating the temperature of the refrigerator, equipped with a temperature sensor placed in contact with the evaporator.
  • the temperature control means in contrast to the electromechanical systems, nowadays comprise an electronic device and allow the compressor to be controlled in relation to the temperature recorded by temperature sensors present on the appliance, for example, within its interior.
  • the internal temperature of the appliance to be controlled depends upon variations in the ambient external temperature, the frequency of access to the interior of the refrigerator, the amount of stuff contained within it, the ageing of the insulation and the efficiency of the refrigerating circuit. To take these factors into account complex control circuits are used which require more than one temperature sensor and other recording devices, for example a sensor to record the frequency in opening the refrigerator.
  • the main aim of the present invention is to produce a self-regulating device to control the functioning of the above-mentioned appliances, using a single temperature sensor on the evaporator and an electronic circuit connected to the sensor in such a way to achieve a number of advantages such as:
  • the internal temperature of the refrigerator or freezer is maintained and regulated independently of the variations in the external ambient temperature which are automatically compensated.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator in diagrammatic form
  • FIG. 2 is a graph showing the changes in the temperature of the evaporator as a function of the time, without the control device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows a similar graph with temperature, but with the use of the control device according to the invention.
  • the refrigerating appliance is marked with the reference number 1; in the example given this is a simple domestic refrigerator.
  • the invention in question is applicable to other types of refrigerating appliances, such as, for example, both chest and upright freezers.
  • the refrigerating appliance 1 comprises a conventional refrigerating circuit, essentially including a compressor 2, an evaporator 3 and a condenser 4.
  • a conventional temperature sensor 5 placed in contact with the evaporator 3 which is read by an electronic (microprocessor) circuit 6 and by which the user may set the required temperature inside the refrigerating appliance.
  • the electronic circuit controls the compressor on the basis of two different temperature values (high and low) recorded on the evaporator 3 by the temperature sensor 5 in order to obtain the temperature set by the user.
  • FIG. 2 This is a diagrammatic illustration of the change in temperature (T) as a function of time (t) recorded by the sensor 5 placed in contact with the evaporator, where the points A, B, C plotted on a single straight-line T connection ordinate indicate the temperature at which the compressor 2 is activated, whilst points D, E, plotted on a single straight-line T disconnection ordinate indicate the temperature at which the compressor 2 is deactivated.
  • T connection -T disconnection differential is assumed to be constant, i.e.
  • both the T connection and the T disconnection would be subject to an equal increase, thus maintaining a constant differential.
  • T connection temperature With an assumed constant T connection temperature, it is noted that in a control device of this type, i.e. constant T differential, the times between connection and disconnection vary as a function, for example, of the external temperature with a given parity of T connection .
  • T differential the times between connection and disconnection vary as a function, for example, of the external temperature with a given parity of T connection .
  • the external temperature has a given value which is lower than that of the cycle formed by the points B, E, C.
  • the time t f (compressor functioning time) of the ADB cycle is less than the corresponding time t f1 of the BEC cycle
  • t t 1 (compressor disconnection--time during which the compressor is not functioning) of the ADB cycle is greater than t 2 of the BEC cycle.
  • a single sensor control device of this type would have a series of disadvantages such as the variations in the internal temperature due to changes in the external temperature, differences in the circuit performances due to ageing of the insulation, increased energy consumption due to the fact that the compressor is not being put to optimal use.
  • the control device operates in a different manner, by means of an algorithm operated by software resident in the microprocessor 6 which acquires and processes the temperature of the sensor 5 and at least one of the following: functioning (connection) time of the compressor 2, compressor disconnection (non-functioning) time, comparing these to a reference value and changing the above-mentioned differential.
  • the assembly comprising: 1) an evaporator (preferably a plate evaporator with its heat capacity); 2) a temperature sensor placed on the evaporator; 3) a timer (operated by the microprocessor) for measuring the time taken for the temperature of the evaporator to rise and/or fall.
  • an evaporator preferably a plate evaporator with its heat capacity
  • a temperature sensor placed on the evaporator
  • a timer (operated by the microprocessor) for measuring the time taken for the temperature of the evaporator to rise and/or fall.
  • FIG. 3 shows, in diagrammatic form, the temperature T of the evaporator 3 as a function of the time t and in which the points a, b, c, d lying on the same T disconnection temperature line show the temperature at which the compressor initially begins to function, whilst points e, f, g represent the compressor disconnecting points and the broken and dotted lines which join said points represent the changes in the temperature of the evaporator 3.
  • the self-regulating control device operates as follows: the value t r1 recorded during the 1st cycle (a, e, b) corresponds to the tabular comparison value, and therefore the control device is not activated (because the operating conditions are the same as the reference conditions).
  • the time measured will be less than the tabular value.
  • the control device will calculate a negative error from the comparison and will correct this by increasing the compressor disconnection temperature in order to bring the compressor disconnection time into line with the tabulated value.
  • the temperature of the evaporator and the compressor disconnection time (or time during which the compressor was inactive). That is the time that it took for the temperature of the evaporator to reach the T connection value.
  • the compressor connection (or active) time i.e. the values t f or even both of the time values could also be used to regulate the temperature.
  • the tabulated values established during the experiments will be a combination of those relating to the compressor connection time, the relationship between the connection and disconnection times, to the disconnection time and the connection time.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
US09/359,469 1998-07-29 1999-07-22 Self regulating device for controlling refrigerators and freezers Expired - Fee Related US6116036A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT1998MI001764A IT1301875B1 (it) 1998-07-29 1998-07-29 Controllo autoadattivo per la regolazione di frigoriferi e congelatori
ITMI98A1764 1998-07-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US6116036A true US6116036A (en) 2000-09-12

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/359,469 Expired - Fee Related US6116036A (en) 1998-07-29 1999-07-22 Self regulating device for controlling refrigerators and freezers

Country Status (6)

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US (1) US6116036A (pt)
EP (1) EP0976996B1 (pt)
BR (1) BR9903008A (pt)
DE (1) DE69920350T2 (pt)
ES (1) ES2227941T3 (pt)
IT (1) IT1301875B1 (pt)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN100339670C (zh) * 2004-04-24 2007-09-26 三星电子株式会社 冰箱及其控制方法
US20080092569A1 (en) * 2006-10-20 2008-04-24 Doberstein Andrew J Cooling unit with multi-parameter defrost control
US20080163632A1 (en) * 2005-03-08 2008-07-10 Shinichi Kaga Cooler and Refrigerator
CN100538220C (zh) * 2005-05-30 2009-09-09 阿塞里克股份有限公司 冷却装置及控制方法
US20090235677A1 (en) * 2006-05-15 2009-09-24 Shinya Yanagida Cooling Storage Cabinet and Method of Operating Thereof
CN100572962C (zh) * 2007-09-27 2009-12-23 宁波奥克斯空调有限公司 一种能低温制冷的空调器控制方法
US20090320505A1 (en) * 2006-11-10 2009-12-31 Wouter Denis Ann Van Dijck Method for cool drying
US20100037640A1 (en) * 2008-08-15 2010-02-18 Jonathan Trevor Atwater Method for adjusting a natural refrigeration cycle rate of an air conditioner
US20100161152A1 (en) * 2008-12-19 2010-06-24 Arthur Wilson Scrivener Method and device for managing the operating conditions of refrigerator compartment using a single sensor

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10015159C2 (de) * 2000-03-27 2002-02-07 Friedhelm Meyer Steuervorrichtung und Steuerverfahren für eine Kälteanlage
UA76962C2 (en) * 2000-10-11 2006-10-16 Arcelik As Method for refrigerating device control (variants)
EP1524484A1 (en) 2003-10-16 2005-04-20 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator
ITVA20030039A1 (it) * 2003-10-21 2005-04-22 Whirlpool Co Congelatore orizzontale.
BRPI0402012A (pt) * 2004-05-04 2005-12-20 Multibras Eletrodomesticos Sa Sistema de controle de temperatura em um aparelho de refrigeração
PL2175216T3 (pl) * 2008-10-09 2015-09-30 Whirlpool Co Chłodziarka jednodrzwiowa i sposób sterowania taką chłodziarką

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5152151A (en) * 1992-02-26 1992-10-06 Eaton Corporation Measuring evaporator load in an automotive air conditioning system for compressor clutch control
US5218836A (en) * 1992-06-11 1993-06-15 Eaton Corporation Measuring evaporator load in an automotive air conditioning system for compressor clutch control using evaporator inlet temperature
US5699674A (en) * 1995-05-10 1997-12-23 Mando Machinery Corp. Method for controlling temperature in a chamber of a food storage apparatus
US5992163A (en) * 1997-08-23 1999-11-30 Behr Gmbh & Co. Process and arrangement for an air conditioner control with an evaporator protected against icing

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4292813A (en) * 1979-03-08 1981-10-06 Whirlpool Corporation Adaptive temperature control system
US5115968A (en) * 1990-10-02 1992-05-26 Honeywell Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling a heating/cooling system based on a temperature error
IT1266851B1 (it) * 1994-06-08 1997-01-21 Merloni Elettrodomestici Spa Metodo per il controllo di un apparato frigorifero, ed apparato implementante tale metodo.
US5533349A (en) * 1994-12-16 1996-07-09 Robertshaw Controls Company Determination of ambient air temperature outside of an appliance
DE19505706A1 (de) * 1995-02-20 1996-08-22 Aeg Hausgeraete Gmbh Regeleinrichtung und Verfahren zur Temperaturregelung in Kühlgeräten
CH691236A5 (de) * 1996-10-14 2001-05-31 Forster Ag Hermann Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Haushalts-Kühlschrankes.
DE69916231D1 (de) * 1999-02-19 2004-05-13 Ranco Inc Of Delaware Wilmingt Regler und Verfahren zur Regelung der Temperatur in einem Kühlschrank

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5152151A (en) * 1992-02-26 1992-10-06 Eaton Corporation Measuring evaporator load in an automotive air conditioning system for compressor clutch control
US5218836A (en) * 1992-06-11 1993-06-15 Eaton Corporation Measuring evaporator load in an automotive air conditioning system for compressor clutch control using evaporator inlet temperature
US5699674A (en) * 1995-05-10 1997-12-23 Mando Machinery Corp. Method for controlling temperature in a chamber of a food storage apparatus
US5992163A (en) * 1997-08-23 1999-11-30 Behr Gmbh & Co. Process and arrangement for an air conditioner control with an evaporator protected against icing

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN100339670C (zh) * 2004-04-24 2007-09-26 三星电子株式会社 冰箱及其控制方法
US7775058B2 (en) 2005-03-08 2010-08-17 Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Cooler and refrigerator
US20080163632A1 (en) * 2005-03-08 2008-07-10 Shinichi Kaga Cooler and Refrigerator
CN100538220C (zh) * 2005-05-30 2009-09-09 阿塞里克股份有限公司 冷却装置及控制方法
US20090235677A1 (en) * 2006-05-15 2009-09-24 Shinya Yanagida Cooling Storage Cabinet and Method of Operating Thereof
US20120047932A1 (en) * 2006-05-15 2012-03-01 Shinya Yanagida Cooling storage cabinet and method of operating thereof
US9080805B2 (en) * 2006-05-15 2015-07-14 Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Cooling storage cabinet with dual evaporators and an inverter compressor
US20080092569A1 (en) * 2006-10-20 2008-04-24 Doberstein Andrew J Cooling unit with multi-parameter defrost control
US20090320505A1 (en) * 2006-11-10 2009-12-31 Wouter Denis Ann Van Dijck Method for cool drying
US9283517B2 (en) * 2006-11-10 2016-03-15 Atlas Copco Airpower, Naamloze Vennootschap Method for cool drying
CN100572962C (zh) * 2007-09-27 2009-12-23 宁波奥克斯空调有限公司 一种能低温制冷的空调器控制方法
US20100037640A1 (en) * 2008-08-15 2010-02-18 Jonathan Trevor Atwater Method for adjusting a natural refrigeration cycle rate of an air conditioner
US8104300B2 (en) 2008-08-15 2012-01-31 Valeo Climate Control Corp. Method for adjusting a natural refrigeration cycle rate of an air conditioner
US20100161152A1 (en) * 2008-12-19 2010-06-24 Arthur Wilson Scrivener Method and device for managing the operating conditions of refrigerator compartment using a single sensor
US8122730B2 (en) 2008-12-19 2012-02-28 General Electric Company Method and device for managing the operating conditions of a refrigerator compartment using a single sensor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2227941T3 (es) 2005-04-01
EP0976996A3 (en) 2000-11-02
IT1301875B1 (it) 2000-07-07
ITMI981764A1 (it) 2000-01-29
DE69920350D1 (de) 2004-10-28
DE69920350T2 (de) 2006-02-16
BR9903008A (pt) 2000-02-22
EP0976996B1 (en) 2004-09-22
ITMI981764A0 (it) 1998-07-29
EP0976996A2 (en) 2000-02-02

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